On the Fourth Day of Christmas (which is also the 28th day of National Tie Month) I'm wearing a gifty tie that came to me from Rachel and David Haskins eleven years ago! Today we heard many scores of calling birds near our house, many more than four.
The Second Day of Christmas is called Boxing Day, originating (maybe) with a European tradition of giving "boxes" of gifts to less fortunate people. In our modern times it has also become a day for retailers to sell leftover Christmas goods "by the box," and for consumers to box up and return unwanted or wrong-size gifts. My tie showing gaily wrapped boxed gifts just looks nice on Boxing Day.
Today could be counted as the 15th Day of Christmas, but it is actually the Second Day after Epiphany. It's the best time we could schedule for our four-household Central Kentucky family celebration, so I'm wearing my Christmas gifts tie for our suppertime party. Our eight grandchildren (and the seven adults) will have a great time together!
Happy Epiphany! Exchanging gifts at Christmastime has traditionally been associated with the example of the Magi presenting gifts to the Christ Child. And so my tie for today shows many gaily wrapped presents! Today also marks the 104th birthday of my mother, Ethel Howland (York) Kleppinger. She died in February 2000. When I was growing up we always kept our Christmas decorations up until 6 January, and I didn't learn for many years that the date was anything special besides Mom's birthday!
